With lockdown restrictions in place, she will not be able to have a party, so family members have suggested islanders might like to help her celebrate by waving or hooting their horn when they pass her window along the Rocquaine coast road.
A wartime child, Mrs Henry is no stranger to separation from her loved ones and, while currently self-isolating, the Guernsey Press has become a lifeline to her.
She left the island of her birth at the start of the evacuation in 1940 with her two elder sisters, Betty and Peggy, to live with strangers, and had very little communication with her parents back in Guernsey.
She would never have imagined being forced to separate from loved ones again during her lifetime.
Sadly widowed several years ago, and then losing her only son, Peter, to cancer, two years ago, Mrs Henry has had to endure much sadness in recent years.
But with the love of her daughter-in-law, Annette, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Guernsey and her daughter, Gill, son-in-law Don and family in New Zealand, she has embraced modern technology meaning she has been able to keep in touch with them regularly via social media.
Daughter-in-law Annette said they hoped to celebrate once the lockdown measures had been lifted
‘A big family party was planned for today, with relations converging on Guernsey from the UK and New Zealand, but sadly this has all had to be postponed due to the current situation, which has left Pat understandably feeling very disappointed,’ she said.
‘But with a few well-chosen presents to keep her busy, and following strict government guidelines, Pat will not be totally alone on her special birthday as the families hope to still make it a day for her to remember.
‘So, if you are taking your daily stroll or ride along Rocquaine coast road, having a leisurely walk along the beach and see Pat sitting in her window of her Guernsey fisherman’s cottage, give her a wave or hoot your horn.’
She added once life returns to normal there would be plans for a big reunion to give Mrs Henry a long-awaited birthday celebration.
